Allison MacKenzie, Ltd.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of Green Leaf Business Solutions. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Allison MacKenzie, Ltd.?

We hired Allison MacKenzie for their real estate services. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We needed Allison MacKenzie’s expertise when it came to zoning laws. Specifically, we were selling a commercial real estate property to a buyer who wanted to put up a bank in the location. However, it wasn’t clear whether the space would work for what the buyer needed. 

From there, Allison MacKenzie helped our buyer ensure that everything was dialed in. They wanted to make sure they could use the property for their purposes. Meanwhile, the team appraised the property by looking at the costs of similar properties in the area. 

Per our negotiation, the transaction was a cash deal at $1.6 million; it was contingent on the buyer being able to use the space for a financial institution. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people from Allison MacKenzie, including James (Attorney & Partner). 

How did you come to work with Allison MacKenzie, Ltd.?

We were referred to Allison MacKenzie by one of our business partners. He had used them in a business setting. That was how we started the engagement. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $6,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement lasted from February–June 2021. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The deal fell through; we fell out of escrow and backed out. Ultimately, we ended up selling to an investment group. However, James did everything he could for the deal; he was the linchpin of a transaction that would’ve helped us make a hefty profit. 

The problem was that the buyer spent a long time in their due diligence. As a result, our company decided to move on with another buyer. In any case, Allison MacKenzie did a fantastic job in terms of securing documentation and ensuring we were compliant with zoning regulations. 

Moreover, their work led to the property being appropriate for any purpose. With their help, we received a notarized letter from the City Planning Commission saying that the property could be used for anything and everything. As a result, any type of business could move into the space, making it a lot easier for our firm to sell it. 

How did Allison MacKenzie, Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?

We typically communicated via Zoom, phone calls, and emails.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their connections to the real estate industry were deep. They knew the right people. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish there was a better breakdown of the billing as we were going through the deal. We only received the bill at the end of the transaction. Their pricing was also a bit higher than expected. However, it was worth it in terms of what they were able to do.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you have an idea of what the engagement costs and how you want to break down Allison MacKenzie’s fees. You can opt for monthly payments instead of receiving the bill at the end of your engagement.